> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://makoism.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Hoist the Colours! - URL: https://makoism.com/hoist-the-colours/ - Published: 2021-06-12T11:01:26.000Z - Updated: 2021-06-12T11:01:26.000Z - Description: "If rum can't fix it; you're not using enough rum" - Jack Sparrow - Author: Steve Makofsky - Tags: makoism, #newsletter-makoism, #substack ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/61/8f/618f2076-e6a0-40dc-8037-06080661dee7/content/images/public/images/c9623eeb-c6f8-4f24-848a-2785f212c834_2048x1365.jpeg) yo ho yo ho "**It’s more fun to be a pirate than to join the navy**" is one of my favorite all-time (rumored) quotes from Steve Jobs. I say "rumored" as it was supposedly [used as inspiration](https://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=Pirate%5FFlag.txt) during a 1983 off-site retreat in which the Mac team set the tone for their mission. Who knows if it was actually said or not. :) But by billing the team as "*pirates*", they wanted to inspire and set forth a challenge to a key problem (that continues to exist in 2021) in most large successful organizations - companies grow and gain revenue, but slowly morph into disciplined structures and become **tied up in bureaucracy.** A pirate's nature is to *rally against the norm*. A pirate is an [agent of change](https://www.fastcompany.com/1665840/an-hr-lesson-from-steve-jobs-if-you-want-change-agents-hire-pirates). > *A pirate can function without a bureaucracy.* > > *Pirates support one another and support their leader in the accomplishment of a goal. A pirate can stay creative and on task in a difficult or hostile environment.* > > *A pirate can act independently and take intelligent risks, but always within the scope of the greater vision and the needs of the greater team.* If you're looking to stir things up a bit, try to shift your focus; consider the ‘*[code is more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9ojK9Q%5FARE)’*, have a little fun and *feel the wind behind your sails* \- I'd suggest [fly the flag](https://petespiratelife.com/); you'll be surprised in what a little disruption can bring to your team. :) If you're interested in my daily ramblings, follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smakofsky) or [my posts on this blog](https://makoism.com/). ## **Forward Thinking** This one struck a cord with me; I've spent **countless hours** refining my own systems and automation regarding my own workflows and productivity systems. [Anne-Laure](https://nesslabs.com/) has a wonderful watch on "*our desire to be more productive can turn into a harmful addiction to productivity content: this is toxic productivity. It's completely disconnected from reality, it can be addictive, and if you take it at face value you may pick up some completely ineffective methods.*" ## **Latest obsession** I've started to explore the idea of taking [microadventures](https://alastairhumphreys.com/microadventures-3/) (more on this in a follow up post) and one of the best items I've found [for my bag](https://makoism.com/did-you-chop-down-this-tree/) to accompany [the Matador Pocket Blanket](https://matadorup.com/collections/accessories/products/pocket-blanket) is the CLIQ '*bottle-sized chair for anywhere*' While I don't recommend sitting for a 10 hour day in this chair (I've tried, your butt will hurt), having an ultra-light small form factor chair that's weatherproof and waterproof is a game changer - it's no bigger than a water bottle and 3.65lbs. ## **This weeks "Deep Links"** Here's a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week: - Glorious! I've been the most excited to [the new Loki series on Disney+](https://www.disneyplus.com/series/loki/6pARMvILBGzF) out of any of the new offerings. The first episode has finally landed this week and it is **everything** that I hoped for. "**A Marvel Series That Cares Little for Marvel’s Universe**" dives into the series (minor spoilers) - [More](https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/06/loki-disney-marvel-comic-book/619142/) - "**Miranda Kerr And Gwyneth Paltrow Endorse Wim Hoff Breathing To Ease Anxiety And Stress**" is a conversation on [Wim Hoff](https://www.wimhofmethod.com/) (which I've [mentioned previously](https://makoism.com/manners-maketh-man/)) view on the importance of breathing for mental health - [More](https://graziamagazine.com/articles/how-to-wim-hoff-breathing/) - "**In Praise of Small Menus**" examines the '*true luxury (is) having someone else make decisions for you*', the effect of the pandemic on the size of menus, and the joy of experiencing restaurants by eating *exactly* what they want to feed you - [More](https://www.grubstreet.com/2021/06/in-praise-of-small-menus.html) - I was 50 when I learned "**Do You Know What the Color of Your Bread Bag Twist Ties Really Mean?**". How did I not know that the bag twist colors actually meant something - [More](https://www.tlcme.com/stuff-we-love/do-you-know-what-the-color-of-your-bread-bag-twist-ties-really-mean) - I was also 50 when I learned that "**Knowing the Difference Between a Couch and a Sofa Can Make Furniture Shopping Easier**". Big learnings this week! - [More](https://lifehacker.com/knowing-the-difference-between-a-couch-and-a-sofa-can-m-1847038924) - Something that I've been devoting a lot of time thinking about is the value of "**experiences over stuff**". Having "*openness to a wide variety of life experiences, from visiting interesting places to considering unusual political views, brings happiness.*" is a key theme for "**Don’t Approach Life Like a Picky Eater**" - [More](https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/05/neophilia-novelty-happiness/618998/) - Criminals flocked to using a new encrypted messaging app; instead it turned out to be an FBI-run sting operation. "**Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting using messaging app**" explores the app that was designed to monitor drug smuggling, money laundering and even murder plots - [More](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-57394831) - "**I Think in Flowcharts**" is a wonderful read on using charts to help figure out how to use flowcharts to decision making to help "*give a sense of control when it’s hitting the fan*" - [More](https://randsinrepose.com/archives/i-think-in-flowcharts/) - The NSA recently published new documents that dive into techniques that "*a skilled code-maker should leave at least some non-random patterns in the cipher, so as to not make their puzzle impossible*"."**Declassified Cold War code-breaking manual has lessons for solving 'impossible' puzzles**" is a great read on puzzle solving and thinking - [More](https://phys.org/news/2021-05-declassified-cold-war-code-breaking-manual.html) - "**Hey, so, I Think I Fucking Hate the Internet**" is a no holds barred look at the horrible state of what's going on with social media, people, and "*feeding off of others in an effort to stave off the boredom, frustration, and despair a global catastrophe inflicted upon us*". Definitely food for thought on how much time and energy you put into these things - [More](https://www.nooctothorpe.com/blog/2021/6/4/hey-so-i-think-i-fucking-hate-the-internet) - As a reader of this weekly newsletter, you already know how much I love notebooks. "**100 Ways to Use Your Pocket Notebook**" expands on some really useful ways to use them - [More](https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/100-ways-to-use-your-pocket-notebook/) - "No" is not a dirty word; "**The Audacity of Nope**“ explores more avenues in which saying "no" can actually be a good thing - [More](https://bonsuthompson.medium.com/the-power-of-no-1e246a1081d4) ## **Fin** To wrap up this week, I wanted to share a wonderful TEDx talk from 2015 that I recently stumbled upon called "**The creative act of listening to a talking frog"**. Some very wise words on "**why are we here**", and magical lessons learned along the way with the **conspiracy of craziness**, presented by Kermit the Frog.